Augusta, GA

AP photographer gets in the right spot for a big swing at the Masters

Published

8 months ago

April 21, 2024

AP photographer gets in the right spot for a big swing at the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — AP photographer Matt Slocum knows his way around the bucolic Augusta National Golf Club during the week of the Masters — it’s a difficult task with all the regulations that help preserve the aura of the tournament. So, when he saw the light and clouds combining for a perfect backdrop, he knew exactly where he should go to take some tee shots. He also knew how to stay ahead of the patrons to get to his perfect spot. Here’s what he had to say about making this extraordinary image.

The Masters is one of the most revered tournaments of professional golf — it’s also one of the toughest for photographers and golfers. One of golf’s four majors, it’s full of history and tradition; rules and etiquette; joy and pain for both us and them.

Photographers are not allowed “inside the ropes” at the Masters — patrons are kept from the playing areas such as fairways and greens by ropes that mark the course. Being on the players’ side of the ropes give photographers better sight lines and ease of movement. But The Associated Press is lucky to have a good mix of photographers and editors onsite to help cover the tournament. We work together under the direction of David J. Phillip. With his vast Masters knowledge and experience, he guides us around the course as the day progresses and golfers charge up the leaderboard. Teamwork and communication are vital when covering this tournament. It’s tough to navigate the course quickly. You learn the hard way which crosswalks to avoid at peak times. Photographers that work together and are organized will have more success and less frustration overall.

Because we are not allowed inside the ropes, we tend to camp out at strategic spots and then leapfrog around before the crowds get too big. There are a few tee boxes that have access from behind. Patrons at the Masters are very polite and helpful when asked if we can kneel in front of them to get a key shot. By staying low, we don’t block them, and it allows us to emphasize the golfer and clean up the background. Once you find an area or light that is productive, you tend to work it, group after group to make scenic photos. You can vary the exposure and lens you use to add variety — wide, normal and telephoto.

In this case, golfers were teeing off toward the back of the box. I carried a fast, moderate-wide angle lens, a Sony 35mm F/1.4 GM and a Sony A1 mirrorless camera in anticipation of making this kind of photo. We are very lucky Sony is onsite to clean, repair and loan equipment. Not that I ever break anything, but many thanks to Van Nguyen, for replacing something I might have broken. I was shooting on a nearby hole when the clouds started to break and the blue sky appeared. This was my 14th Masters; I knew where to go in my area to line up a golfer with the sky.

I set my camera with the lowest native ISO, 100, to emphasize the dramatic sky. As golfer Rory McIlroy walked up the tee, I placed the camera very low and tried to keep him centered among the trees lining the hole. I just about always shoot at the widest aperture available, in this case F/1.4, to keep the emphasis on McIlroy. I was hunched way over on my knees, straining see the built-in level on the back of the screen. The camera was set to its fastest frame rate, 30 frames per second. I set the fastest shutter speed, 1/32,000th, to freeze all movement. I held the shutter release down for less than a second and made 22 crooked frames of the swing sequence. I picked a few visually pleasing moments to send to my editors Chris Carlson and Darron Cummings. It’s not obnoxiously crooked and has a nice feel, but it’s not perfect. “You can do better,” I hear from a ghost my head.

This photo is unique because of the clouds. There was a storm that delayed the start of the tournament that morning. It was dark and grey for most of the day. The shallow depth of field helps keep your eye focused on Rory. Using a very fast shutter speed helps make the bright areas of the image darker. It brings out the clouds, knocks down the crowd and freezes the golfer’s club at the top of his swing. The clouds are still breaking, framing the golfer and starting to add light on his swing.

For more extraordinary AP photography, click here.

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Related Topics:cameras Featured golf lifestyle masters golf tournament Sports US--One Extraordinary Photo-The Masters

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Augusta, GA

Barry Charles Robinette Obituary 2024 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

Published

10 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Barry Charles Robinette Obituary 2024 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Monday, December 23, 2024, Barry Charles Robinette, 73, loving husband of 35 years to Gina S. Robinette.

Barry was a lifelong native of Augusta, Georgia. He retired from the Bank of America and was currently working at Trenton Correctional Institute for the last13 years. He was active in his church, Abilene Baptist. He loved to spend time with his family. They loved to celebrate life together, and they loved their Lord. He was a good,good husband, daddy, and brother. He gave 100%and more to faithfully leading his family in the love of Jesus Christ, their Savior. He will be forever cherished and always loved. Barry is praising his Savior and waiting for the day that we will join him.

Family members in addition to his wife, include his children: Heather Robinette and Charles Robinette; sister: Shirley Weathers (Michael). He was preceded in death by his parents and Fred and Helen Robinette.

The funeral service will be held Friday, December 27, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Terry Doss officiating. Interment will be private.

The Robinette family is so thankful for the support they have received from Abilene Baptist Church, specifically their Sunday School class. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in memory of Barry Robinette to Abilene Baptist Church, 3917 Washington Road, Martinez, GA 30907.

The family will receive friends Friday, at 10 AM at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com

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Augusta, GA

Foster with Augusta shelter and give a pet a home for Christmas

Published

19 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Foster with Augusta shelter and give a pet a home for Christmas

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – If getting a pet for Christmas wasn’t on your to-do list, think again.

Augusta Animal Services has the chance for you to “test run” a pet this week as part of their Home for the Holidays program.

You get to foster a pet, with all the food and supplies you need provided for you and in return, a dog or cat gets to spend the holiday outside the shelter.

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Augusta Animal Services says they struggle with overcapacity almost all year round so events like Home for the Holidays are crucial.

“We have really high hopes for it, we always do,” said Rebecca Reece, Augusta Animal Services outreach coordinator.

It’s an event the shelter depends on.

“Home for the Holidays is one of our favorite programs,” said Reece. “We do it every year for Thanksgiving and for Christmas.”

The goal is for animals to find a home where they can spend lots of future holidays.

“We have a pretty good rate of people who take their dogs home for the holidays, deciding to keep them which is something we love having happen,” said Reece.

But adoption isn’t a requirement. They say taking them home even just for a little bit can help.

“It helps get the dogs out into a home environment over the holidays,” she said.

Which in turn, makes them more adoptable.

“It still helps us get a lot of vital notes about how the dogs do in the home environment, which helps future adopters,” said Reece. “It also helps the dogs to just enjoy themselves for a while. It means they’re not in the kennel.”

And they say they are there to help you through the process.

“You can always just come in and let us know if you’re looking for a dog or if you’re looking for a cat,” she said.

They say they’ll do their best to make sure both you and the animal are comfortable.

“We’ll talk to you a little bit about your home, what you’re looking for, whether you have any animals in the home already, and we’ll give you some suggestions of dogs you might like,” said Reece.

If you decide to add a furry friend to your holiday fun, they will give you everything you need to get started.

“The leash and some food. Some minor supplies,” said Reece. “Almost like a gift bag to make it easier for you.”

Augusta Animal Services says even though the shelter is closed on Tuesday, they will still have the event from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m

If you decide to return your foster animal, you can do that between Jan. 2 and 3 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you do adopt that animal, your adoption fee is waived.

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Augusta, GA

Masters adds 10 to field, including Lucas Glover, Justin Rose

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Masters adds 10 to field, including Lucas Glover, Justin Rose | Golf | wfxg.com

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